Notification on the detection of Drosophila suzukii, the Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) in the Republic of South Africa

Publication Date

Fri, 24 May 2024, 13:02

Last Updated

May 24, 2024, 1:04 p.m.

Report Number

ZAF-58/2

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Drosophila suzukii - (DROSSU)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Drosophila suzukii (SWD) was detected in Blueberry production areas in the notified areas.

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

The NPPOZA was notified about the detection of D. suzukii in the Langkloof area in the KouKamma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province on the 26th of October 2023. The NPPOZA in collaboration with different role-players and stakeholders initiated a delimiting survey to determine the spread of the pest in the country, according to the D. suzukii national action plan and relevant standards. The pest was later detected on the 29th of November 2023 in the Overberg District Municipality in the Western Cape Province and again on 24 January 2024 and 24 February 2024 in the Mopani District Municipality in the Limpopo Province and in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. Detection of this pest was done using McPhail Yellow bucket trapping system baited with E.G.O. PheroLure® and SWD (fermentation products with ethanol and acetic acid components) lures. The samples from these areas where morphologically identified and the results were confirmed with DNA barcoding. A 100% positive match to D. suzukii was returned for both repositories (https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi).

Summary

Drosophilla suzukii was detected on Blueberry orchards in four (4) provinces in South Africa. The official samples were collected after random surveys in collaboration with the research institutions and government in the reported areas. The pest was positively identified in Limpopo Province and confirmed by a recognized entomologists and fruit fly experts in the country.

Surveys in other parts of the country are conducted where host plants are produced, and all other phytosanitary measures are implemented.

Removal and/or Movement of host material from affected areas to unaffected in the rest of the Republic of South Africa is restricted in accordance with the Agricultural Pests Act No. 36 of 1983 (Act No.36 of 1983) and Control Measures R.110 as amended to prevent further spread of this pest to other Provinces.

Danger

Potential spread or establishment of D. suzukii from infested areas through host material to other provinces may negatively affect domestic and international trade and export potential of relevant host commodities. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is continuing with delimiting surveys in production areas, to determine the extent of spread as well as pest status in other parts of South Africa. Phytosanitary measures are implemented to restrict the movement of host material from infected to non-infected areas.

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